French opera is one of Europe's most important operatic traditions, containing works by composers of the stature of
Lully,
Rameau,
Berlioz,
Bizet,
Debussy,
Poulenc and
Messiaen. Many foreign-born composers have played a part in the French tradition as well, including
Gluck,
Salieri,
Cherubini,
Rossini,
Meyerbeer,
Offenbach and
Verdi.